How to choose cannabis seeds for indoor growing

The two most important factors for a successful indoor cannabis grow are an optimised grow room and use of the best cannabis seeds. The cannabis seeds contain the genetic code that determines the type & potency of cannabis plant that will grow.

Even pro-growers can’t achieve connoisseur quality results with second-rate weed seeds. Seed sales are split roughly evenly between photoperiod feminised seeds and autoflower seeds. These days, regular cannabis seeds account for just 2-3% of seed purchases.

Follow your heart but take your brain with you

The best cannabis seed companies take their work very seriously, priding themselves on their contributions to the cannabis community, their cannabis cup wins (Dutch Passion have around 100 cannabis cups) and the quality/consistency of their genetics.

The competitive nature of the work means plenty of good options are on offer for the cannabis seed buyer. But there are countless less experienced seed companies too, some offering very poor-quality weed seeds.

The experienced grower often spends a great deal of time researching their cannabis seed options. Grow reviews are useful, as are lab-analysis reports often published by the better cannabis seed providers to detail terpene profile, THC levels and concentrations of minor cannabinoids.

Some of the most common pitfalls when buying indoor cannabis seeds are:

•    Choosing cannabis seeds without due regard for your specific grow situation is a common blunder e.g. buying a stretchy sativa strain when you have a small grow room.

•    Growing slow-blooming feminised seeds when a fast harvest is required - autoflower seeds might have been a smarter choice (…or a faster blooming feminised seed choice).

•    Buying cannabis seeds based on the name/hype, assuming that the genetics are authentic.

•    Assuming all cannabis seeds are the same and buying the cheapest ones available.

•    Buying cannabis seeds without carefully reviewing several solid options.

You will spend several months growing your cannabis seeds. Choose them wisely!

Key factors to select your ideal indoor cannabis seeds

Most growers aim for fast, uncomplicated and heavy harvests of premium quality buds. Those aiming for THC-rich buds have a wide choice. Medical growers seeking buds rich in CBD, THCV, CBG, CBDV and other esoteric cannabinoids also have plenty of options, Dutch Passion’s special cannabinoid cannabis seed collection is worth checking out for anyone interested in these.

Genetic type (feminised vs autoflower seeds)

Unless you’re an old-school grower or an amateur breeder seeking regular seeds, most indoor growers will opt for either good quality autoflowering cannabis seeds or photoperiod feminised seeds. Both can offer very high THC results. Autoflower seeds typically grow under 20 hours of daily light (blooming automatically at around 4-6 weeks old) and are ready to harvest about 75 days after autoflower seed germination.

Photoperiod feminised cannabis seeds are often grown for around 5-6 weeks in vegetive growth under 18-24 hours of daily light. The cannabis flowering stage begins when the light cycle is reduced to 12 hours of daily light. Bloom usually then takes about another 9-10 weeks, or so.

Cannabinoid profile and effects

After many decades of experience one clear piece of customer feedback to Dutch Passion has been that not everyone wants (or needs) mind numbing 25% THC levels. Excessively strong cannabis strains can result in overpowering effects for less demanding smokers.

Conversely, experienced cannabis users can find medium-strength strains underwhelming. To simplify the choice of cannabis seeds for indoor growers Dutch Passion have grouped their cannabis seeds according to the likely THC levels in the cured buds:

•   Extremely high THC cannabis seeds. Reserved only for those Dutch Passion strains proven to be able to deliver THC levels around or above 20-25%. Perfect for those that only want to browse the very strongest strains available today. Not recommended for casual smokers!

•    Very high THC cannabis seeds. Capable of delivering THC levels around 15%-20%. These are very powerful strains often with XL yields and a popular choice with repeat buyers. Recent studies (including Dutch coffee shop government studies) have shown that the majority of cannabis strains have around 16-17% THC. Strains with up to 20% THC are regarded as very strong and satisfy the vast majority of growers.

•    High THC cannabis seeds have THC levels between 10-15%. At the upper end of this range the effects are both strong and psychoactive.

Medium and low-THC cannabis strains are also available. Note that the CBD cannabis seed collection includes several low-THC/high-CBD strains such as CBD Charlotte’s Angel. These are popular with medical growers and some of the strains (with under 1% THC) have no discernible psychoactive effect at all.

As previously mentioned, and popular with specialised medical growers, the Special cannabinoid cannabis seed collection contains rare genetics capable of producing plants rich in unusual cannabinoids.

Indica vs sativa

Some indoor growers have height & space limitations. For those with limited height, autoflower seeds or indica cannabis seeds can be a useful option. Stretchier sativa cannabis seeds, e.g. Desfrán, are also available to those indoor growers (e.g. those experienced in growing with the SCROG method) that know how to control them.

The experienced indoor grower will feel confident with either cannabis sativa or indica seeds, feminised seeds or autoflower seeds. Less experienced growers that are not familiar with cannabis low stress training or cannabis high stress training may prefer to grow their plants in the natural way, without manipulation. For cannabis seed buyers, knowing the height requirements of a given strain is vital information. Most competent and experienced seed companies are able to give detailed grow descriptions/heights of their strains.

Aroma and taste

One of the greatest delights of growing your own cannabis is being able to choose the specific type of taste/aroma that you want. Be that a fuel-dripping diesel stench, a sweet fruity aroma or some pungent skunky madness.

The following Dutch Passion cannabis seed collections below may inspire ideas for your next grow:

•    Skunk cannabis seeds. Once savoured, never forgotten. Skunk seeds boast, for many, the definitive and iconic cannabis smell and are famously easy to grow.

•    Gelato cannabis seeds. Sweet, creamy and fruity flavours/aromas. Just like vaping candy!

•    Orange family of cannabis seeds. For those that love a refreshing fruity citrus taste and lively, powerful effects!

•    Cookie cannabis seeds. Girl Scout Cookies (‘GSC’) strains are adored for the smooth, powerful effects as well as their sweet baked flavours.

•    Afghani Kush cannabis seeds. If you love the rich, unmistakeable hashy scents from the finest Afghani genetics these Kush seeds come with thousands of repeat growers.

Be demanding with your expectations of flavour and aroma when you buy cannabis seeds!

Average life cycle

Some growers want to turn-around a harvest in double quick time. Others don’t mind waiting for a connoisseur harvest. The amount of time you have available for your next grow will determine which type of cannabis seeds are most suitable.

•    Autoflower seeds generally take around 11 weeks to grow from autoflower seed to harvest. For growers seeking a high THC harvest in a hurry, autoflower seeds are a great choice. Note that some autoflower strains such as Auto Blueberry and Auto Blackberry Kush can be ready to harvest in as little as 8-9 weeks after auto seed germination. Other heavier-yielding autos such as Auto Ultimate, Auto Desfrán and Auto Glueberry OG can take 12-15 weeks.

•    Feminised cannabis seeds. The period of vegetative growth is defined by the grower, typically 4-6 weeks is given, varying from grower to grower. Bloom time can be 7-8 weeks for strains such as Orange Bud and Bubba Island Kush. Longer blooming strains, including certain Haze/sativa cultivars can take 13 weeks+ in bloom.

Knowing how much time you have before harvest allows you to select the most appropriate cannabis seeds for your grow.

Height and space

Growers with limited height and space may prefer smaller (but still potent and good yielding) strains, perhaps including short/stocky autoflower or feminised indica seeds. Check out online grow reviews to see how other growers managed with their strain choices and familiarise yourself with low & high stress training techniques which will allow you a broader choice of plant-management options.

Potential yield

Some growers insist on XXL yields no matter what. Others may take a more connoisseur-led approach when it comes to their harvests. All the serious seed companies give a realistic yield expectation on their strains. Dutch Passion’s highest yielding cannabis seeds are conveniently grouped together for those seeking the very heaviest harvests:

•    XXL yielding cannabis seeds

•    XL yielding cannabis seeds

How to make smart decisions when purchasing

Cannabis seed choice is never easy, especially with so many options. Buying cannabis seeds from a proven, original seed bank with a sizeable collection of cannabis cups is one of the safest options. Compare the claims from the various seed suppliers by reading a few online grow reviews and try to narrow down the cannabis seed choices to a few that really meet your personal needs.

Use our seedfinder to get tailored recommendations!

The Dutch Passion seed finder website tool is pre-programmed with all the info about every strains growth characteristics. This includes height, yield, THC levels, bloom/growth time etc. By answering a few simple questions, you can quickly narrow down your choice to the best cannabis seed options. It only takes a few seconds to try it!

Browse our cannabis strain listings for inspiration

The options on the left hand side of the screen on the Dutch Passion cannabis seeds page allows you to fine tune your preferences or select from one of the many different cannabis seed types.

You may also find some inspiration from the following articles:

•    Top 5 strains to grow in small spaces

•    Top 5 strains to grow in hydroponics

•    Top 5 autoflower strains

•    Top 5 strains for productivity

•    Top 5 strains for SCROG

•    Top 5 low budget cannabis seeds

•    Top 5 fastest growing cannabis seeds

Take the time to read our product descriptions carefully

Some of the premium quality cannabis seed suppliers carefully detail each cannabis strain, how it grows, likely results, grow reviews and analytical lab reports. Take time to read all the information provided along with any other online grow reports you can find.

Lower quality seed companies rarely tend to document their strains, often giving the bare minimum of information. This is often simply because they have little real-life info, often buying seeds in one-off bulk shipments.

Check out our detailed grow reports for practical insights

Dutch Passion have the largest archive of customer grow reports of any cannabis seed supplier. There are also numerous expert grow guides written by seasoned professional growers. Our cannabis seed-to-harvest time lapse videos are also a great way to see the type of results you can expect.

Run a test-grow using our feminised or autoflower trial packs

Some of the best-selling Dutch Passion cannabis seed packs are the trial packs of autoflower seeds and the feminised seed trial packs. These allow you to try 3 different strains at significantly discounted prices, allowing you to try more of Dutch Passion’s heavyweights at sale prices.

Check out the Dutch Passion cannabis seed sales page

Dutch Passion run special offers with free seeds or special discounts. You may find some great cannabis seeds for your next grow, see what is on offer today.

Can you grow different cannabis strains together indoors?

Yes. Indeed, many growers deliberately grow several different strains together in order to give variety to their harvest. It can help to select cannabis strains with broadly similar growth characteristics. This can make plant maintenance/housekeeping easier - plants will have similar growth rates, heights and perhaps nutritional demands.

However, it can test the skills of growers when trying to manage squat, bushy indicas alongside super-stretchy sativa genetics. Use of cannabis High Stress Training (HST) and low stress training (LST) can be useful allies when tackling a multi-strain grow.

With the right cannabis seed selections and experience, growing different strains alongside each other is quite a common practise. Some growers even use spare space in the mother room to grow an autoflower or two.